Photo TR: WFChris's Mexico Trips!

[Nrthwnd]

La Feria was really a nice multi levelled park to wander through. For myself, one of the neatest parts of it, was three walk-thru tunnels, created within the wooden coaster, to walk to other rides and flats on the other side. Very cool to do.

 

And Marvin was the clown with the umbrella, Chris. I think after your photo, he saw me taking the picture of the clowns and other people, then he scrambled up to where I was, took my camera away like yours ... then I stole his umbrella and ran away from him, HAH! Well, we made up, and got a great shot, together. A very sweet guy.

 

Continued excellent TR, Chris. I am having fun, re-living the tour through you.

And by the way, it was very nice to meet you on the tour. I hope you will do more

of the TPR tours in the future. Stateside, or overseas. Always worth it.

 

P.S, I forgot to add this photo, after your first posting. Nonetheless... it's of you and a few buddies at the restaurant we ate at, before the rest of you went to the Ballet Folklorico that evening.

Here you are! The Three Muskateers.......and Laverne. And you look almost wiped out already, Chris!

[WFChris]

^Thanks for the picture, Bill! I'm actually having a lot of fun writing this

 

I'm glad that everybody is enjoying the ride with me. If there is one thing I would like to do, it's to help people see Mexico in a different light then they might have thought it was.

 

Fun Fact! I visited Mexico City twice after this trip and already have at least two trips for next year planned. Really, really loved it down there, as I'm sure my trip companions could tell ya.

[thrillerman1]

GREAT trip reports so far, and I can't wait to see more! Thanks for sharing, and I hope to get to Mexico on one of the future TPR trips.

[simaticable]

Mexico seems pretty fun. Hopefully, one day I'm able to make it to these awesome parks.

[Woodie Warrior]

The story about the lady at SFM taking you back to the kitchen is just awesome. I would never think something like that would happen in the US, even in the friendliest parks.

[simon8899]

La Feria alone would be reason for me to visit Mexico city for its two Schwarzkopf coasters.

 

I saw it on some pics on the background: Was the Weber Traumboot - looping ship - running?

[WFChris]

Yes it was. The only ride I remember not running was their drop tower. I rode it on a later visit and it was pretty tame.

[Jojo19799]

I miss Mexico soooo much! Thanks for sharing the pictures. It's really bringing back some great memories. I really want to head back there, especially to SF Mexico. It's one of the best SF parks I've been to. Everyone (employees and guests) were nice. The food was good too - especially the churros!

 

I remember taking several pictures of Gary on those green meeting spots. I thought it had something to do with lost and separated families meeting there. I also never noticed the green arrows at SF Mexico. Thanks for teaching me something new!

[WFChris]

The next day we left Mexico City and headed to Guadalajara. On the way, we were to hit a park in Queretaro, which is basically between the two cities. It's called Parque Bicentenario, and was apparently built by a Chinese company and looks just like many generic parks in China. I've never been, but other trip participants that have said it did, and that it was really weird. I learned more about this park after the trip, it turns out that it's more of a place that families go to just hang out and be together rather than specifically ride stuff. There is a fairly large water park that we did not visit, and there is also a full high ropes course that I don't think any of us even knew about. This is the one park that I wish we had more time to explore, but time was limited as all long distance travel throughout Mexico should be done during the day, especially when traveling through Michoacan, which we were going to do.

From the parking lot, the park looks more like a large city park than an amusement park...which as it turns out, it more or less is. Admission is 50 pesos, aka $3.80 USD.

This HUGE awning was in the center of the park, and was a very busy place. The sun was once again pretty hot this day.

First credit of the day! A Chinese Knockoff Loop Screw!!!

Across the midway was this pirate ship ride. This place had HUGE midways.

Themeing or foreshadowing?

I REALLY wanted to ride this rapids ride, but once again, there just wasn't enough time to allow for it.

So we heard from the China Trip participants that this ride could be a brutal experience. Like Vekoma but worse.

To add to it, I sat all the way in the back because I'm a glutton for pain. It turns out that it wasn't all that bad. No different than, say, Viper at SFMM

I especially liked the onride photo, which was a lady taking a picture of you waiting to dispatch in the station. They only got the front of each car so no picture for me.

Themeing. This place was a mixture between cute and desolate. Really strange.

This is a Chinese Knockoff Wacky Worm. We'll ride that in a few minutes...

Once again...strange vibe at this place.

Random net play structure for the kids. As with every park we've been to, everybody there was having a great time.

Here we are at our 2nd credit, a Chinese mouse ride. They required us to ride with a child, and with only Kristen in our group, she was gearing up for a few dozen laps around the track. This is my roommate with his 'child,' who is not Kristen.

Elissa managed to wrangle up some local kids who wanted to ride over and over again. This was a very cool experience. The kids would stand with us in line, and their parents would get them to talk to us in English. They asked us our names, where we were from, and other basic questions.

It was just really neat being involved in a random cultural exchange. While it is definitely a little weird riding the mouse with random children, they were totally up for it and we all made a new 5 minute friend.

This is me and my riding buddy, Lupita. They were all really happy to get multiple rides on this without having to wait in too long of a line.

There we go! This ride is beyond tame, there is only one moment where you pick up anything resembling speed.

Wave at the camera, Lupita!!!

Totally forgettable coaster experience, and also a cultural experience I will never forget. Funny how that works.

This is a frog hopper with a little tent over the motor. It was cute so I took a picture.

Nick and I on the Wacky Worm, which, while even more tame than the Wild Mouse, you did not need a child to ride with you.

I wanted to ride this antique car ride, and waited in line, and noticed something. The cars would pull up to a scene and they would stop and read the sign. I think people were spending about a half hour making the circuit. We only had 45 minutes before we were leaving the park! Better make this fast!

...and then it broke down. As the attendant sauntered over to the broken down car, which was on the exact opposite end of the course, I knew I would not have time to do this. Oh well. Another time.

I had a really terrible torta which was basically a chopped up hot dog and mayonnaise. That building in the background is the giant awning over the center of the park.

You can see both of the kids coasters in this picture. We thought you had to stay on the extremely indirect paths, but it turns out you can pretty much walk wherever you wanted here.

One more look at the Wacky Worm

Almost (if not all) every park had a reptile museum. They were always an upcharge. This dinosaur was vibrating and was pretty much the most hilarious thing ever.

Culture and Learning at Parque Bicentenario!!!

You had to get your toilet paper from a communal roll before you went into your stall. Very strange...although the China Tour participants said it was the same way in China.

Themeing in the entrance plaza. Fun Fact! It's illegal to be gay or show gay public displays of affection in Queretaro.

Random dude riding a motorcycle down the midway.

Loop Screw from outside the park. That's a really nice soccer field and track between us and the coaster. It's part of the park but it wasn't obvious how you got there.

Some kind of monument for something.

Welcome sign...better late then never, right?

Here we are reuniting at the reunion point!

Back on the road, we stopped for a snack refill at OXXO. It's basically an AM/PM. The Mexican countryside in this area looked a lot like Central California.

Our Holiday Inn had this super high tech TV system. You can close the blinds through Dorothy, on the TV. Hello Dorothy!

I didn't read much about Guadalajara, but I was intrigued as HELL once we got there. What IS this beautiful place?!?!?!

The view from the room was a mixture of sketchy, wonderful, and old.

OMG can we just go exploring now??? Please??????

The sign says Gaylord on it so obviously a picture had to be taken and included here. This is in the lobby of our hotel. Many Americans refer to Guadalajara as the 'San Francisco of Mexico.' Unlike Queretaro, Gayness is pretty much totally cool here.

We were super close to the historic center. SOO AWESOME! Well look at more of this culture stuff later.

Once again, after asking the concierge 'where would YOU eat,' we ended up here. Don't let that 'Bien Fria' sign confuse you, it was MEGA HOT in this restaurant.

The gringos wait patiently for heaven in a tortilla....

And once again the food did not disappoint. I cannot tell you how much better the food is here than in the US, and I live somewhere where its pretty easy to find good Mexican Food! Not even CLOSE to what you can get down in the big cities of Mexico!

The Schwitek says "Fun Fact! I APPROVE!!!"

Here is the restaurant. And off we go to bed...we have to get an early start for another amusement park and a bunch of tequila the next day! POST YOUR COMMENTS!!!!

Edited December 4, 2013 by WFChris

[WFChris]

I don't think any of us took any pictures but I had to include this. After we left the Park, we learned that our bus did not fit in this tunnel. Those of us in the back of the bus had a pretty fun experience hanging over the edge of a ditch while the driver turned the bus around. He did a great job!

 

Needless to say, we were all happy that we enjoyed those huge cups of Tecate at the park

 

Image is from Google Street View.

[John_RN]

Excellent TR!! I too will commend you on your humor. Totally found myself laughing at this outloud. I keep telling myself to post my own first Photo TR of my first TPR trip which was the Texas/Midwest trip this past summer but I thought it might be too late and people really wouldn't be interested, but I think you may have inspired me! Okay and also there is the fact that I'm really not sure how to go about doing it, hehe. Good job though!

[Woodie Warrior]

Mexico actually sounds like a fun place to visit.

[WFChris]

Excellent TR!! I too will commend you on your humor. Totally found myself laughing at this outloud. I keep telling myself to post my own first Photo TR of my first TPR trip which was the Texas/Midwest trip this past summer but I thought it might be too late and people really wouldn't be interested, but I think you may have inspired me! Okay and also there is the fact that I'm really not sure how to go about doing it, hehe. Good job though!

 

I actually intentionally waited quite a bit since there were already a few Mexico TR's floating around out there. I figured there would be MORE interest later on. It's been really fun to write and most is just coming out naturally as I look at the pictures.

[larrygator]

I completely forget about that tunnel. At that point I thought we were going to be robbed by some banditos.

[supertrooper]

I find myself skipping through most trip reports and without reading the captions because they are usually pretty repetitive. This is one of the few reports that I've actually looked at each picture and read each caption. Good style and good humor.

[WFChris]

I find myself skipping through most trip reports and without reading the captions because they are usually pretty repetitive. This is one of the few reports that I've actually looked at each picture and read each caption. Good style and good humor.

 

Thank you! All this positive feedback is definitely keeping me going!

[jynx242]

Thanks so much for posting this. It has made my work day much more enjoyable!

 

Your report makes me wish I had been on that trip. You look like a lot of fun, and you were hanging with Nick, who is one of my favorite people . Not to leave anyone else out, I'm sure they would be my favorite if I knew them.

 

David

[robbalvey]

I have to be honest, I was not a fan of La Feria. I think part of it was also the operations of the park versus what we had experienced the day before at Six Flags Mexico. They all new we were supposed to arrive, and when we got there, it was like they had no clue. None of the coasters were ready for us, and on top of it, they told me two of them weren't going to open that day (which eventually they did), and running *ONE* train total on the woodie just seemed like the poorest operation I had ever seen. (thankfully they ended up running two, but as Chris said, no more racing.)

 

I think had things been a bit smoother that morning and less frustrating for me, I would have liked the place a bit better. But at least having read this trip report to hear that other people really liked the park, and some of the frustrations that I had to deal with did not trickle down to the rest of the group is a GOOD thing.

 

On the plus side (and this was a HUGE WIN for me and I actually do applaud the park for this), they were VERY accommodating with letting us film, mount cameras, etc. I just wish the operations would have been equally as up to snuff as the PR side of things, that's all.

 

Perhaps on a future visit things will be better.

 

*LOVED* both of the Schwarzkopf's, though. Great selection of rides in both the "classic" and "weird" department!

 

--Robb

[Meteornotes]

This is one of the most entertaining reports I've seen in some time. Thanks for posting!

 

dt

[WFChris]

Today we visited Selva Magica, a small park in Guadalajara that is run by the same people that run La Feria back in Mexico City. It was kind of a sad day for the tour because it was our last park together so it was that moment where we realized how fast the week flew by. We did have tequila to look forward to later that day, though! And just FYI, there are SIX more credits that I will be sharing with you after this park so the report is far from over!

Welcome to Selva Magica! There is also a zoo here that is about the size of 20 Selva Magicas.

Tiered pricing, just like La Feria.

The first ride of the day was Titan. A true out and back. Like the truest out and back ever.

It's the parks biggest coaster.

Titan was cool, had a couple pops of airtime and a weird long straight track segment.

You can see it behind this Pinfari coaster called Jubilé. We'll ride that later.

Before that, we rode our last Schwarzkopf, Tornado. Look ma no seatbelts!!!

I have never been on a spiral lift ride so that was a fun novelty for me!

They were only running one train though, so I only got two rides on it.

Still, a really fun ride! With no safety restraints whatsoever!

Jubilé was just your run-of-the-mill Pinfari.

I remember something weird or painful happening, but I don't exactly remember what it was....

Always keep an eye on your nearest green arrow!

After the coasters, we were lead past this Corona boat to a backstage area.

We didn't get to ride the Bullet but this is definitely a good consolation prize!!!

Junkyard with Tornado in the background.

Look! I caught nerds being nerds! The Bullet is now built and should be opening anytime. I'll definitely be back to ride it.

Stop!

We were given these tickets to ride the Sky Coaster for $50. A $3.80USD sky coaster? Heck yes I'll ride! I have actually never been on one before.

This guy sat there upside down for a pretty long time.

So I was hanging out with The Schwitek and it turns out that he is some kind of superstar Sky Coaster trainer person. The employees at the ride didn't really speak english, so he volunteered to do the speech for me. It was kind of fun being trained on riding this, in Mexico, with a tour participant. After our ride, we ended up sticking around for another 45 minutes or so while Mike prepared a bunch of other TPR members for the ride. The whole thing was pretty funny to me! They offered him a job!

I see TPR members!

This guy sat there upside down for a pretty long time Note the reunion point in the foreground.

There was this target with body outlines underneath the sky coaster that was painted over. Too morbid for even Mexico?

This is a walk through a pregnant woman. You literally walk through her.

Don't touch my baby! It wiggled back and forward and scared the crap outta me.

Naturally you can't leave a body without navigating the bladder!

Definitely one of the more bizarre attractions I've seen.

Fun fact! He's still disturbed by the pregnancy experience!

There were a bunch of cool flats here.

I believe you can 'park hop' over to the zoo from this entrance within the park.

Every park except the one in the mall had a Haunted House, and we hit all of them. The one at La Feria was probably the best, those guys had a SERIOUS amount of energy! There was one room where this guy was jumping on a bed and running around the room and rolling all over the place. They also talked with these deep voices that they are going to lose at about age 25. Anyway, the one here was funny because one of the guys kept saying random words in english to us. And Churro.

Time to ride the mat slide of death!

My favorite part were the little arm fluffies

OK at this point I was legitimately freaked out. It turns out that you stop at each flat part and walk to the edge.

Vamanos!

While this thing looked crazy, it wasn't all that exciting. And I burned my hand on the green part. But I've never seen anything like it, so in that respect it was awesome!

Another flat.

We managed to get on the Log Ride. I love log rides!

The station platform was outdoors.

Final drop......THROUGH THE TREES!

I don't trust that smirk. Wait...I guess I have to.

One more shot of the pre-lift bit on Titan. They had a little sprinkler going in the lawn. Water feature!

Nice little fountain in the entry plaza. Mexico parks love their dolphin shows!

De nada!

Looking to the right from the entrance. This is where more of the kids attractions were.

The program they ran on this just lifted all of the dinosaurs to the top for the whole ride. It looked kinda funny.

One more shot of the entrance. Next up, some tequila IN Tequila!!!

Edited December 4, 2013 by WFChris

[WFChris]

These pictures are from the trip DVD but I wanted to include them here just to document my first Sky Coaster experience.

Riding it WITH your instructor/ride operator is actually somewhat reassuring.

"Should I be scared right now?" "Nah."

Wheeee!!!! These things are a lot of fun! Definitely worth the $3.80USD!!! (ok, now that I've done it, I'd be willing to pay a bit more)

[Philrad71]

When I first saw Tornado, I thought it was the old Jumbo Jet that they used to have at Cedar Point but see that relocated to Dreamland in Belarus.

 

Doing a quick search on RCDB, I see that this one once operated at Busch Gardens Williamsburg as Glissade from 1975-1985...is that true? Any older TPR members remember this when it was there?

[supertrooper]

You got a trip DVD? I've been waiting on mine from the 2011 Northeast trip. I thought it just took a really long time...maybe I was just skipped over.

[Woodie Warrior]

Tornado looks kind of worn but still pretty fun

[Nrthwnd]

My very first Sky Coaster too, Chris.

At my age! And it was....interesting.

And for myself, once was enough.

 

You're doing great with your TR!

Looking forward to the last little bit more.